If you're considering protecting and preserving your land from development - now may be the best time.
        Congress has recently passed a new bill which will provide greater tax deduction incentives to farmers and ranchers who donate their land.
        You can save significantly if you act before the end of 2007.

Section 1206 of the pensions bill (HR 4) recently passed by Congress will help family farmers and other moderate-income landowners get a significant tax benefit for donating a conservation easement, restricting future development of their land to protect a resource important to the public. This legislation:

• Raises the maximum deduction a donor can take for donating a conservation easement from 30% of their adjusted gross income (AGI) in any year to 50%
• Allows qualifying farmers to deduct up to 100% of their AGI
• Extends the carry-forward period for a donor to take tax deductions for a voluntary conservation agreement from 5 to 15 years.

This provision is effective for donations made from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007.  After that, the law will revert back to previous provisions, unless Congress extends the provision prior to the deadline.

For further information, contact the Tiverton Land Trust.  Also, visit the Land Trust Alliance website at www.lta.org or see your tax advisor and/or attorney for additional information.